Superintendent Michael Mayell told Fox 8 Cleveland, “They are sending a message to each other, letting kids know that suicide is not the option and should never be the option."

The two suicides are not believed to have been related, Cleveland.com reports. Initially there was speculation that bullying may have played a role in the deaths. However, administrators told Cleveland.com that there is no evidence of bullying.

A nationwide survey of youth in grades 9–12 in public and private schools in the United States (U.S.) found that 16% of students reported seriously considering suicide, 13% reported creating a plan, and 8% reporting trying to take their own life in the 12 months preceding the survey.